Franza was born on 2 June 1907 in Ariano di Puglia (currently Ariano Irpino), Italy.[1] Prior to entering politics, he would work as a lawyer.[2][3]
Franza entered politics in 1946 when he successfully became mayor of Ariano Irpino.[3][4][5]
Franza was elected to the Italian Senate in 1948 and served there for five legislatures as a member of the Italian Social Movement (MSI) until 1972.[1] He was the only MSI Senator elected to the first legislature.[6] He would act as group leader for the MSI in the Senate during the first and third legislatures.[3][7][8][9] As a Senator, he was an ardent opponent of communism and acted as a leader for the monarchist group.[10]
Franza's son, Luigi Franza, would go on to also become an Italian Senator.[4][11]